KLM AirCares helps fight Tuberculosis in Tanzania

KLM AirCares will, for the coming three months, be supporting a project in Tanzania to trace and treat people with tuberculosis. This project is run by the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, the Dutch national association for the control of tuberculosis.

Although SARS has been making headlines worldwide in recent months, there is another infectious lung disease that is far more deadly and widespread. Once every 15 seconds, someone somewhere on earth dies of tuberculosis (TB). In the past year alone, almost two million people died of TB. However, in contrast to SARS, TB is relatively easy to prevent and cure. But, as is so often the case, there are insufficient people and resources to tackle this disease in a structural manner.

The KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation operates worldwide. KLM AirCares will be supporting the Tanzanian national TB control program. This East African country currently has more than 60,000 TB patients.

Apart from the direct physical impact on patients, TB also has major social and economical consequences for their direct surroundings. However, with the right medication, patients can be fully cured of this infectious disease. It is, however, crucial that the patient takes the appropriate combination of  medicines on a daily basis for a period of no less than six months. That means long-term, disciplined treatment and intensive supervision. And this is where the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation comes in, advising local Tanzanian clinics.

KLM AirCares will be asking passengers to donate money to this worthwhile project. Members of KLM's Flying Dutchman loyalty program can also donate FD miles online, which will be used to enable KNCV staff to travel to Tanzania.

KLM AirCares is the charity program of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Every quarter, KLM AirCares supports a different project run by a relief organization that helps improve the quality of life of children around the world.